Inked Oinkers: Tattooed Pigs by Wim Delvoye (UPDATED PICS)

Tattoos have become less of a taboo and far more mainstream in the past decade. Two reality shows are focused on tattoo artists, many magazines are published specifically about the craft and tons of products have hit the market that either sport tattoos or are tattoo-inspired, be them dishes, furniture or clothes. To see many available products with tattoos, real or otherwise, click here.

Belgian artist Wim Delvoye launched an Art Farm Pigs Growth Fund whereby people can invest in his swine farm outside Beijing in China. This farm, established in 2005, has nine boars and sows which are tattooed with a variety of designs created by Delvoye and three other tattooists in residence. “The pigs art fund will be an official Chinese company which I hope to launch in the next few weeks”, he says. “The new bonds and pig farm shares scheme make the mechanisms of the art market so transparent”, he added.

above: The gates to Wim Delvoye's Art Farm and some of the inked oinkers.

“This initiative is in its early stages”, said Mr Delvoye’s assistant Gianni Degryse. “We may set up a similar bond scheme for the pig farm. People may even be able to purchase one of the animals”.

A vegetarian who tattoos live pigs, in the name of art. Wim claims it's ‘Because they grow fast and they are so much better to tattoo than fish.’

Wim: I started tattooing pig hides, which I’d get from the slaughterhouses, in 1994. It was only in 1997 that I started to work on live sedated pigs. I tattoo pigs because they grow fast and they are so much better to tattoo than fish. I tattoo them when they are young and I like the way the artwork stretches and distorts over time. Essentially, we invest in small tattoos and we harvest large paintings.

Have you ever tattooed a person?

Yes, of course. I have tattooed art critics, art dealers and art collectors, and lots of butts. I come across my needlework everywhere I go. Some designs I try for the first time on people and, if they work, I will surely re-create the tattoo on a pig.

To the close observer your work is laden with contradictions. For example, aren’t you a vegetarian?

Yes, I am a vegetarian. I am also very, very clean. I wash my hands like 100 times a day.

This work is beautiful and very tongue in cheek. I love it and think there is nothing wrong with it at all. I am an artist and animal rights activist and there is nothing cruel about Wim's method and practice.

This is absolute cruelty... Kat how could you say it is not cruel?? Sedation alone stresses any animal to the max let alone to flippin tattoo the poor beast... You should be ashamed of yourself... sick bastards.

Lighten up folks! I am also a vegetarian and an animal rights activist and find this to absolutely hilarious! These pigs are getting the royal treatment. Drugs, tattoos, fame, aire libre and a life of leisure...sounds like rock and roll to me. Life could be a helluva lot worse, check it.

I am still trying to figure out exactly how I feel about this. I am an animal lover and a vegetarian and initially I admit I was taken back and rather disgusted by the idea.

Another poster stated: “These pigs are getting the royal treatment. Drugs, tattoos, fame, aire libre and a life of leisure.. Sounds like rock n roll to me”

I have to say that my opinion is leaning in that direction. These pigs look pretty content compared to those that I have seen crammed in cages or in line at the slaughter house. Even “Post” death they are being admired as art versus just having their bones swept up off the floor after an all you can eat night at Chile’s.

I am a vegetarian and love all animals. I wish this world was a better place for most of them... I have tattoos and they hurt, but I would choose them over a life in a factory farm, however, it is not clear if the tattooed pigs are getting the alternative...If the ink saves them from a hideous fate then I'm ok with it, but if it just adds insult to injury then I find it cruel, useless, and an unscrupulous way to get famous...

this artwork is original and interesting, I am a vegetarian (seeing as everybody is making a point of saying so) and I think it is far less cruel than the way most of the other animals kept by humans are treated. if you are going to disapprove of something and call it sick there are far worthier causes, these pigs lead full and, as far as we can tell, pleasant lives.

This is disgusting. Those animals have rights and they are denied when they are held down and tattooed. It may not seem like a big deal, but could you get away with the same on humans?! You'd be thrown in jail! If people didn't see fit to abuse and murder animals for food and other petty reasons, then stupid things like this wouldn't happen either. Go vegan and stand against this bull shit.

At what point did he think this is NOT animal abuse. Maybe if he has another child, I'll take it from him and scar the child for life. Fair's fair eh. Totally disgusting. Total moron. Hope he ends up getting fed to the poor animals he's harmed.

You should be shameful of yourself. Put art where it belong. This is cruel, exploiting animal isn't humane!!! Animal has life and feeling, they are not your toys!!! Try this on your own child and see how it feels.

Dude, you seriously suck. I assume you are a vegetarian for your own reasons, which are not likely to have anything to do with animal rights. I love tats, have a few myself, but make no mistake - - your 'artwork' is is absolutely animal cruelty, and I hope you're charged with it. It is not art, it is disgusting and wrong.

If you are taking the time to tattoo the pigs, why are they sitting within concrete walls? Perhaps tattooing them will keep them alive and not slaughtered but I am not sure what your point is here.Is this only for your pleasure? Or is there something you can do to make the lives of these pigs better by doing this?If it is only for you, that is inhumane. If you can use it to save these pigs lives and give them a place to live in good conditions, you are actually using your art to help lives. Which is it?

I really don't know how to feel about this but I had a good look round the artists site (it's a hideous site to navigate btw)Did anyone check out the photos?http://www.wimdelvoye.be/artfarm.php#

When I first learnt of this I was outraged and I still am. Any form of animal abuse is abominable.I think compared to the life these pigs would otherwise have this is the lesser of the two evils, but that doesn't make it right in my opinion.Of course in an ideal world all animals would be free to roam in their natural habitats but that's another discussion for another day.....

I eat meat. I believe animal rights groups have a serious lack of perspective given all the challenges the poor and underprivileged humans face in this world. But this gratuitous, cruel and absolutely needless disfigurement of animals is revolting. It is a cynical gambit for attention and fame. We should all just ignore this guy and his "art".

Wow, I don't have a problem with the tattooing of the pigs. However, the use of their skins means we are now thinking of another living thing as even less than food. It's now just a canvas. That's a bit morbid for my taste. I hope the pigs are truly well cared for. But, I have to think you may someday look back on this and have trouble forgiving yourself.Maybe if you just let the pigs live out a long life, and just use the photos and a petting zoo type of setup... But, selling skins? Morbid.

It's hysterical how so many people have the courage to say that this is animal cruelty as an anonymous lurker on someone else's blog, but live on nothing but their principles and fail to act on them in their own community.

And to the person calling tattoos mutilation compared the butchering that happens to most is a retarded statement, just because you don't approve doesn't mean you have to label it with a derogatory term.

Consider the other types of "mutilation" that people inflict upon animals, which are socially acceptable; docking the tails of dogs, cutting the ears of dogs, nailing shoes onto horses, cutting the horns off of cows. I'm sure there are others that I can't think of at the moment, but some of these things probably hurt more than tattoos under sedation, and some are done for purely aesthetic reasons.I'm not so sure how I feel about this, but at the very least, there aren't any obvious long term ill effects on the pig, and if you weigh its options, it is probably better off tattooed and happy than on somebody's plate.I wonder how the tattoos effect the pig's psyche, if at all.

animals aren't self aware,these pigs have no idea theywere sedated or tattooed,nor do they care. I have a lotof tattoos, and a lot of pets sobelieve me I sympathize, butc'mon people, lighten the fuck up.

I had many thoughts about this thing. But at the end of every possible reason, putting in everyone's shoes here commenting, there's always one way out: the thing is WRONG.Pigs self-aware or not, this man is doing a violence on these creature.Someone says better a tattoo than a slaughtering, this is a silly statement. I say better live them in peace.

I don't see the big deal. Tons of animals get tattood all the time for identification purposes which is socially acceptable. People dock the tails and ears of dogs and it's socially acceptable. People eat meat and it's socially acceptable. Who gives a fuck? Pigs are stupid creatures, they really aren't anything special and at least he sedates them. When it comes down to it they're just pigs.I might as well also throw it out there that I'm a strict vegan as everyone seems to find one's dietary habbits a relevant factor in these types of discussions.

Light-n-up people.. I'm a vegitarian too who loves ham & eggs. OK, so I'm not a vegitarian but the best part about this (and maybe the point) was to piss off too soft urban-ites who get queezy over a little spilled blood.. um ink.

Let's say that the next artist that comes along likes the idea of using a drill on teeth for the interesting artistic effects it can have, and who knows what other insane "statement" it can make. Then sedates animals, and does so, then photographs them and posts them on the internet. When will someone step in to stop these sick people who do sick things to get attention?

I am an artist and I love animals-This made me sad- large tattoos like this are painful on humans so I can only imagine the slow torture of a needle being dug repetitively into the animals sensitive skin- even on drugs- the meds that are administered are to keep the pig from moving not so much to keep the animal calm- also disgusting- then he slaughters them for the grand finale- people always make these references to activists about caring more for animals then for humans-simply not true- You have missed the point completely- animals have NO VOICE which makes them the most vulnerable creatures on earth- they have to endure the most horrific of inHUMANe abuses and exploitation-if a pet is abused or murdered unwitnessed- that's the end of it- disposed of like garbage- with weak laws in place to protect them- Compassion for all beings is important and more so for those that are defenseless be it animals-children- the handicapped or the elderly- People who dismiss animal abuse are in fact promoting it-

wait a minute here people. Everyone's all up in arms about this. lets take a realistic look at it ok? If you go to the site, yes, theres a concrete pen they stay in. It's called shelter, you know, that thing that keeps you dry and warm? Every other picture they're outside in nice looking areas. The pig gets sedated, for a few days he's a little itchy and he never knows the difference. Trust me, it's not hurting the pig's self esteem.

Second, whatever idiot said "Obviously he's slaughtering them" Yeah, hi, you can stop talking cause you make yourself look like an ass. Pigs die. I know, it's sad. But you know what, you're going to too! Look at that. People perform taxidermy on natural death animals all the time. there's nothing wrong with it.

Let's take a look at all the bunnies who have cleaning products squirted in their eyes, the dogs that are forced to kill each other, the chickens who have their beaks cut off so they don't kill each other when three are in a cage the size of a shoe box, and learn that you all seriously need to get your priorities in order. There's a lot of things that happen in this world that are much more worthy of your self righteous scorn.

It's this simple...do to others what you would have them do to you.So...in the case of tattooing pigs or any animal,get their permission first.If that's not possible..then leave them a-FUCKING LONE! In other words...you have no right to exploit animals in this way,ya knob!

Oh cmon guys, how many of you have said this is wrong and inhumane who eat sausages farmed from battery pigs who dont ever see the light of day?

These pigs didn't ask to be inked, but nor do they ask to be eaten and farmed in little steel cages..

How many of you know how the pigs live their lives after getting these tattoos? as far as i can see, theyre not living in cages, theyre getting attention, and theyre able to chill out with all the other super-cool inked oinkers. For all you know, theyre living happier lives than those slaughtered everday for your pork.

Don't get me wrong, this is using animals as objects for art and is exploiting as the next outrageous thing to get attention, and i DO NOT agree with it, but not because it's animal creulty, but because it's unnecessary.

But if your at all concerned with animal cruelty, you should focus your bloodlust to battery farming, bear bile extraction, seal clubbing and poaching.

interesting that this questionable project took place in China, a country where animal rights do not exist. If this had been done in the Western world this cruel bastard that calls himself an 'artist' would be thrown in jail on animal cruelty charges. Just because something can be done doesn't mean it should be done, especially when it involves inflicting pain on creatures that have no ability to defend themselves.

Things like this just make me sad, that people can treat another creature in this way. He may be a vegetarian (and a compulsive hand washer), but he's still "harvesting" the pigs to get the skins. At least when someone eats a pig they get nutrition from it... his art shouldn't require an animal sacrifice. Go and tattoo some stupid trendy teenagers and leave the pigs alone.

These pigs were saved from a fate in a factory farm, and in exchange they live a very long time in remarkably cushy conditions. When they do kick the bucket, they attain a small measure of immortality as art objects. I can't see how any of this can be considered evil or wrong.

Consider, whatever species mankind isn't eating, we're competing with; consider the decline of most of the large charismatic carnivores. Pigs, through the simple expedient of being tasty, are not going extinct before the buffalo at least.

you vegans have some reeeaaal problems. And cool the eff off, these little bacon bits arent even meant to be eaten... And I doubt they really feel that bad with their thick skin while getting inked.The biggest shame in this is that those piggies are dying without ending in my plate with scrambled eggs. Damn that's bad.

The tatoo work looks awesome btw. Love the needle, I'd totally get pined by Mr Delvoye

who are these losers equating pigs to human children? oh, i'm sorry does the word "pig" offend you? is swine-ese americans less offensive? i don't want to hurt any feelings. yeah i like animals, but to think they care if they have tattoos is just plain stupid. i would assume that pigs don't feel much pain while getting the tatoos, they have pretty thick skin. and i doubt that being drugged is not that hard on them. your hearts are in the right place and i think that's great! but it's your heads i'm worried about.

This is completely cruel and unacceptable! If he wants to create "art" he should find WILLING PARTICIPANTS. What is with this guy?

And for those who would like to point fingers and call others hypocrites, no I DON'T eat, wear, or buy anything with animals in it. Although I think most reasonable people, vegetarian or not, will see this for the animal cruelty it is.

To one of the many anonymous's here, you are right about the China thing. He went to China to do it because it is illegal in England. One would think that would have said something to his pseudo-vegetarian self. Perhaps he is one of those vegetarians that still eats fish, chicken and bacon. Obviously he has self esteem issues with trying to be accepted as an out there kind of fella. All or nothing!

IF PIGS WANTED TO LIVE A ROCK & ROLL LIFE STYLE THEY WOULD BE GRANTED THE ABILITY TO TELL US SO!!!!As humans we have the option to choose if we want a tattoo or not or if we want drugs or not for recreational purposes! I'm not questioning the lifestyle of the pigs after the tattoo or the "humane" method used to tattoo the pigs, but instead simply saying that this is unnatural and in no way should be allowed to happen or admired as art. This is just animal abuse for human amusement.

I somewhat feel that hides obtained after death (hopefully from a pig that had a happy life) to practice on or use as a medium is ok because it is a good use of the skin instead of discarding it. I have lots of tattoos myself and appreciate the art but I appreciate the well being of all animals even more.

I'm pretty sure that, sedated or not, the pig's hide is too thick for a tattooing needle to bother it. It barely hurts a human (depending on location) and pig anatomy is so much sturdier than ours. I believe this is no problem at all, and the pigs do not appear to be suffering. Animal rights activists just need to lighten up and complain about real animal cruelty.-Sith

Suidae (a.k.a. Swine) are "omnivorous", meaning they eat any sort of food, esp. both animal and vegtable food, taking in anything indiscriminantly, as with the intellect [an omnivorous reader], and are "artiodactylous" mammals, meaning they have even an numbered toes which includes hippoptamuses, and are known to be vicious. In fact, they WILL cannabilze each other if in a confinement AND bored. To all you vegans who like to believe you do not wear, touch or eat anything made of "animal" your full of crap! Bovinus is the single most recycled thing on this planet and there is absolutely no way to avoid even secondary consumption, look it up! Swine will birth, lay upon & sufficate their own piglets within seconds & nary a care.Farel pigs are so destructive of natural, endangered, threated, and rare flora & fauna it is literally open season on them 24/7/365 in many U.S. States. Their hyper-keratotic hide is so extremely thick, durable, and endurable, its to their own detriment because they cannot sweat, hence they wallow and in fact LOVE a good thorough itch with a fine-wire bristle brush. Can't wait to see I look forward to the day footballs emblazon with NFL team logos. I say inkmystinkinoiker! baby!

i see nothing clever in this. i see only cruelty for the sake of some marginal "art." there is nothing clever about corralling sentient beings, forcibly tattooing them, and selling their skins. wim delvoye doesn't deserve to wear the badge of "vegetarian"--not that it means much to begin with.

that's great if these pigs were saved from a factory farm. but it's too bad their exploitation didn't end there.

Hes trying to say hes vegitarian? fucking bullshit! hes a hypocrite!, it is animal cruelty not art. the pigs didnt ask for tattoos did they!! its not like u go and tattoo humans without there permission , so why pigs? why any other animal. Knew it be something to do with china sick twisted bastards!

I think this is Fucked regardless if it is in China Wherever the hell in the world they are expoliting animals ,,, people work hard everyday to stop animal testing and this is F**king inhumane ,,,,, these are animals ,,, innocent animals and people do horrible things to them and this just adds to what is being done to them ,,, sedating them and Sticking them with a needle and ink ,l,,,,, it's disgusting,,,, and selling pig skins with ink on them ,,,,,, WTF

What's the problem with SEDATING a pig and then tattooing them? he's not tattooing them awake! i see NO PROBLEMS!!! only stupid people complaining about how wrong it is. the pigs are CLEARLY NOT IN ANY PAIN!!! people get tattooed everyday and they are awake and it's not a problem. it's moving ART!! and it's flipping BEAUTIFUL! he saves the skin and takes care of the animals. he's not just throwing them away people! he is not tattooing people and then hanging them up on the wall and stuffing them!!! Your born, you live, you die, that's life!!! why not have something that defines you for life like a little art on you. animal or pig, all art is beautiful in it's own way. you guys are so upset because its 'causing the animal pain' ...excuse me but LIFE IS PAIN!!! get over it, smile and be happy that you have something memorable on you for your life.

ok, the pigs didnt give writen consent about getting a tattoo...but they dodnt seem to have any long term or short even short term discomfort about these tattoos, ok tattoos can be painfull - i have a couple, but after the actual 'doing' of the tattoo i dont even know that i have them with out being sedated, and seeıng as most pigs are happy walking about with mud in thier hair and dirt on their noses i dont think they are that concerned about hearts and flowers on their backs....

the pigs seem to be looked after more then most pigs are, and more then some pets and some children are looked after here ın the uk!! so although i dont realy see the point in doing this.....ıs it realy cruelty?? in the whole scale of things.....the gorrillas, the pandas, the whales??

Wow there's a lot of people who comment either without reading or without thinking. A tattooed pig skin isn't exactly my idea of a fashionable home decoration item, but I see nothing innately wrong in sedating an animal. Vets sedate animals all the time, and while it is a bit stressful to an animal, so is everything else that it's not used to.

By the way, a pig's skin is thicker and less sensitive than ours. If you ever see the claws that a boar uses to hold on to his sow during copulation, you'll know what I mean.

Sadly, you have attracted a bunch of vegetarian morons... I love this, it is great, and if it were legal I would ask to be sedated for my next tattoo! :) then I would wish to live in the limelight because of it. Great art here... :)

I’m a liberal, and I have tattoos. While I advocate humane treatment of livestock (I protest feedlots) we have to live in the real world.

First off look like they’re living a nice life. What kind of life do you think they would have in a “natural” setting? Very few would even survive to adulthood, falling prey to predators. You think being eaten, often before the prey is even dead, is more humane? These animals have been bred as domestic livestock; they have no place in nature anyway. Would you have them released into the wild to displace native species? If not then what? Who would pay for their feed and care? Should they just be abandoned to starve to death? They would never have been born if they didn’t have economic value. You can debate forever whether or not they should have been bred in the first place but they are here now so what is your answer?

As mentioned I have tattoos, which I had done with out anesthetic. It’s no worse than a scrape. As pigs have thicker skin and fewer nerve endings than humans (also it doesn’t look like the tats are being preformed in particularly sensitive areas like the legs or where the skin is thinner) I don’t think they suffered and probably enjoyed having the area rubbed with lotions to keep it from drying out afterwards (plus.. remember, they were anesthetized during the tattoo).

As for their hides… why is that so gross? Once they’re dead they aren’t using them. If I could afford it I would love to have a coat from one of these pigs.

Designer bacon!!! I love it! The current bacon I am eating tastes like a sad, boring pig who had to wait all its life in pain and in other pigs shit and diseases just for my consumption.

All the "vegetarians" here are most likely hiding behind their computer screens eating a nice piece of fish or chicken...? But, that's ok because those animals don't count and its not senseless killing of a "cute(ish) animal". We all need our protein and eating certain animals is a good way to get it. Quit acting like you are above it all. When you are dead, nobody is going to care how many animals you have or haven't eaten or what products you used to save the earth. There is a thing called being responsible with you resources however. We have no idea how long this big dirt clump is going to last and there are plenty of people entering it every second. To waste your time and call this guy a "sicko" is lame. It's a hand full of pigs that get a way better life than the ones in the slaughter houses (look up a video of it on You Tube, I dare ya!). At least all of the pig is being used in a creative manner.

THIS IS TOTALLY DISGUSTING AND CRUEL! Animals have to suffer, because we eat them - and now they even have to suffer to amuse us??!! If a human wants a tattoo its his own decesion, but nobody ever asked these pigs!! And to call this "ARTS" is just unrespectfull! Think about it..

Considering how painful tattoos are for humans, and the fact that the "artist" prefers to tattoo piglets, this form of "art" is an absolute disgrace. It's just attention-seeking idiocy. Sedation and 3 people to hold the animal still?

Call it whatever you want, but it's not "art." It's a guised form of animal cruelty in the name of "art."

Tattoo healing is painful and can get infected quite easily, what do these pigs have to endure after the "sedated" (?) tattoo procedure? "happy as a pig in sh*t," there will be no rolling in sh*t for the those who must heal a tattoo. That is cruel enough for a pig. aside from this, this procedure is overzealous. Wim needs a few counter-balanceing hobbies, try painting or drawing. Point three: a tattooed pig skin is lame! As art it is gimmicky, un-origional, boring and most of all just plain ugly. Duplicating Disney pictures and the Louis Vuitton sign on a pigs back makes me think crappy products that come out of China.

If you are interested in art go see someone who can really create something not someone who has an addiction to tattooing pigs, (not to mention selling his pigs backs to people who want to learn to tattoo) then selling it for profit. What a scam.

Anyone who buys this is, apart from being a total loser, also creatively retarded.

Do the world a favor and go to your local art school and purchase a piece from there!

oh my gosh this is absolutely wrong people like you make me sick. This is a disgusting sick level of creativity this shit isn't art it's cruelty fucks wrong with you? How the hell would you like to be tattooed on against your will and be skinned?

He is on the right track however how about a little reality in the tattoos... Maybe tattoo a bar-b-que to their ass? A bunch of slabs of fried bacon down their sides? Or how about an APPLE tattooed around their mouth?Now THAT would piss alot of people off!

THIS REMINDS ME OF THE NAZIS TATTOOING AND SKINNING HUMANS! This does Not benefit the animal in any way, it is painful and in the end the animal is slaughtered! YOU ARE SICK.May God have Mercy on you - you sorry son's of bitches!

To all those who feel this jape is so hilarious.Were the pigs consulted before being given this 'royal' treatment? This is exploitation for the purpose of furthering one's own name. If these tattoos were on a human body how much notice would anyone take? Not a lot. So we do it to a animal who has no say in the matter, stand back and say, 'Look, aren't I cute' [or a cunt, forgotten which spelling is correct].

Im a tattoist and even I find this a bit disturbing, sure this is done under sedation and the guys intentions seem for the animals but its totally wrong in so many ways! you want to create art, buy a paintbrush and some canvas,dont sin against nature by tatooing them, just eat the fuckers!

"I eat meat. I believe animal rights groups have a serious lack of perspective given all the challenges the poor and underprivileged humans face in this world. But this gratuitous, cruel and absolutely needless disfigurement of animals is revolting. It is a cynical gambit for attention and fame. We should all just ignore this guy and his "art". "

There's no lack of perspective. Don't you see the two are intertwined? Animal suffering and human suffering - regardless of species. There are literally thousands of charities, global organizations and government programs set up which pump billions into lessening human crisis - poverty, famine etc. Can we say animal welfare causes have as much attention and support? Nowhere near it. So, if these animal activists who supposedly "lack perspective" don't make an effort to alleviate animal suffering and cruelty - who will?

It's no different than tattoing yoru cat or dogs ear. Or the inside of a horses lip.

The animal is put under anesthesia so its harmless, and obviously he looks after his animals.

Yeesh. You "Animal rights activists" should shut your yaps. In a matter of time telling your dog "No" is going to be animal abuse. Jeeze.

The owner has every right to slaughter the animals too. Its probably for consumption(Not by the artist, but I'm sure someone out there is paying for pig meat). Some hungry folks are getting fed, and the pigs memory and appearance live on as art.

Another 'artist' who thinks they can do what they like. These are living animals and should be treated with respect and left to live as they were meant to. I don't give a #$%% that you're a vegetarian (actually it makes it more disturbing). I am a contemporary jeweller and have made a conscious decision to not promote the exploitation of animals by using any animal products. I suggest you get some principles and stop using pigs as canvas. And using anesthetic does not make it OK.

To those saying the pigs have a rock and roll lifestyle. Do they want it? Are you really so thick to think their wants are the same as yours? They're animals, leave them alone you sad, try hard to be different artists. Tattoo your children, I'm sure they won't mind being repeatedly sedated. No it's good for you really. Titch you had a choice to be tatooed, these poor pigs don't!

The fact that the pigs need to be sedated in order to be tattooed screams volumes about how wrong this is. It's cruel and does nothing to benefit the pig, and serves no purpose. To compare it to animals that are used for the purpose of food is a cop out to give permissio for something that is wrong. If the whole world was vegan, what would your argument be then?

Before you lash out at tattooing animals, a mere epidermal abrasion done under anesthesia, compare it to the list above, where the majority of owners in the U.S. have done 4 of these procedures. Many animals that came in had skin conditions worse than what a tattoo would be from neglect; rotting and infected toe nails, ear infections, tooth rot and decay, ALL purely from neglect. Tattooing animals would be trivial to any of these procedures. Also do not try to inject your Pathos morality in this argument, as animals are not self-aware.

I'm a vet tech of 20 years and I get some of what the above person is saying, but just because those things they mentioned are done that doesn't mean they are okay. I don't agree with causing pain to an animal just to make it look a certain way, however, dentals are necessary so I don't know why they wrote that. Anyway, a majority of my work for the past 5 years has been with pigs and I'm very familiar with them. Pigs are actually intelligent, much like dogs, so, yes they are very aware of pain, and pigs actually have extremely sensitive skin, even more sensitive than some peoples skin. Even if they are sedated while it's being done I know they would feel pain when they wake up. I have several tattoos, as do many of my friends, and tattoos are painful while they are healing. That being said, I have no doubt these animals do feel pain, and for that reason I do feel this is cruel. No creature should endure pain just for the sake of "art".

People brand horses, tag cows, and cut their dogs ears yet are whining that someone tattooed a pig under anesthesia... Humans are just hypocritical. Yes it may be wrong but if I were you guys I'd use my time whining to factories who kill chickens and actually abuse the animals then complaining about this. Go help the animals that need it...

I am one of the people who stands up for every animal. I have been vegetarian for 11 years and my 2nd year of being vegan is coming up. Therefore I feel that I am not a hypocrite when I say that this is also cruelty to animals. Pigs skin is much more sensitive than human skin for one, tattoo healing causes a lot of pain. And did the pig say he wanted this? No. Until pigs are able to talk, this is just not done. And so isn't slaughtering animals. Never met a cow that would slaughter a human and it eat it. But you are right on one thing, most people are hypocrites. I refuse to be part of that, tho.

Has anyone mentioned here that once tattooed the pigs don't go and live with the purchaser....they are killed, skinned or stuffed to simply hang on someone's wall.

Why put the pig through the trauma of sedation and a full body tattoo when you could just buy the skin from a slaughterhouse AFTER the animal is dead where (although treated inhumanly) at least they are serving a purpose in providing food...

Or is the whole point that Art is as vital Food?

Unless it comes down to Food, Water or Shelter, why kill an animal in such a sick sadistic fashion?

Who cares live stock was put here to sustain life . For thousands of years our ancestors have eaten meat to survive. What would happen if we all quit eating meat . The world would be over populated with cattle, hogs, chickens and everything else . It would be like telling a lion o quit eating meat or a bear to stop catching fish . Its our human nature to eat meat.

You people do know this was done 4 yrs ago and y'all are still yapping like its gonna stop this man from doing it . Oh yea, to the vegans, you do know the vegetables that you eat are fertilized by these animals manure . Synthetic nitrogen fertilizer destroys more ozone than half of all cars on the road today. So being vegan isn't saving the earth like y'all think.

Yes, but remember, that's a life of "leisure" for a human, which these animals are not. Besides, how would you like to be knocked out and then wake up sore and covered in tattoos you didn't want? You can't tattoo a child, because they cannot legally consent to it.... So why can you tattoo an animal?

First off, you're a damn hypocrite talking about other people being anonymous, note that you are, in fact, anonymous.

Second, yes, it is mutilation. It is the same when a person is tattoos. Now, I have tattoos, but I am also realistic. Purposely changing the appearance of your body is mutilation. Scarification is still considered mutilation, but really it's only referred to as that because it is still taboo in most modern cultures.

Third, it is illegal to tattoo a person against their will. Period. You are violating them by permanently disfiguring their body (and if they don't want a tattoo, trust me they will see it that way). Now, if it is wrong to do this to a person, why isn't it wrong to do it to an animal?

By the way, my name is Laura Colliton. My email is collie1470@gmail.com if you ever decide you have the balls to admit you're a hypocrite, please let me know.

P.S. I have something to say about your lesser of two evils type statement. Even if you choose the lesser of two evils, you are still choosing evil.

It must really burn all of you animal lovers that this is taking place in China, so you 1) can't go wreck his operation yourselves and 2) have no real way to affect change because the Chinese government doesn't care about some artist tatooing pigs. You all must simply be beside yourselves with uncontrollable rage. Try not to induce aneurism, OK?

If you think this is animal cruelty you're a fucking uneducated tool.Tell me more about how the pig gets "stressed" when sedated. By the way, pigs don't give a FUCK about you, if you laid in their shit pens for a day and didn't fight back they'd eat the shit out of you you stupid fucks. I bet none of you have even handled or know what it's like being around pigs. Go back to your concrete jungle you stupid disney brainwashed fucktards

Man I saw this like 2 years ago and got relinked it, after having a giggle at some of the comment i decided fuck it i'll comment too and give my two cent.

Firstly to everyone who says this is cruel and violates the animals rights, it doesnt really also this pigs live better lives then most, also as to the trauma of the pigs suffer as they are sedated, im no expert but surely sedation is the oppostie to trauma. Also animals have rights, yeah the rights we as humans chose to give them.

Also this is done in china, people get fucked over by the laws there such as theft and copyright violations which causes people such as westerners who say develop a piece of software to be screwed by some guy half way across the world who literally copied his work as sells it cheap and is government funded to do so, and you want me to be pissed what some pig is getting some sick tats for free?

If i was offered one of these skins to buy I would and would admire the work as i eat my delicious bacon sandwich.

Hello there everybody. I have a farm in Ontario, Canada and I raise chickens, ducks, cows and pigs. I am not a vegetarian but I strongly believe in animal rights. I started raising animals because I wanted meat from animals that I knew had good lives free from unnecessary suffering. I slaughter my animals personally to ensure that the act is done humanely and to avoid the stress involved in transporting an animal to an abattoir, which is something not to be underestimated. Many posters have said that people crop ears, tails, claws and perform other stressful and painful procedures on animals for aesthetics purposes and legally speaking this is considered humane. On no level are these procedures actually humane when considered from the perspective of causing unnecessary stress on the animal, be that stress from pain, fear, confusion or sedation. The quality of life provided to the animals by their owners, no matter how high, is irrelevant. Giving an animal a good life overall does not mean it's ok or humane to cause it unnecessary stress when you feel like it. When tattooing a pig the animal must be sedated because it would not allow itself to be tattooed if it wasn't. So the tattooing can be said to be done against the will of the animal, and can therefore be regarded as inhumane. The consensus in the animal husbandry community regarding sedation is that it stressful, unhealthy, and potentially deadly for the animal, therefore when done unnecessarily it is INHUMANE. Also, whether or not pigs have less nerve endings in their skin than a human does not mean that it doesn't hurt, and after the sedation wears off the animal will experience some level of pain and potentially infection, and because this pain is unnecessary in the life of the pig it is inhumane. I understand that raising animals for slaughter can also be regarded as inhumane, after all, it is premeditated murder, but at least it puts food in hungry stomachs rather than simply art on the wall. That not to say that visual art does not play a valuable role in the world, these tattooed pigs have sparked powerful discussions involving dozens of people from around the world on important topics like animal welfare and what can be considered humane. In that regard I would say this is a successful attempt by an artist to stimulate the public, I just don't think that it can be considered humane and claiming that this is a humane way to treat any animal is plain wrong.

for the Anonymous blogger that wants to know more about how sedation stresses a pig: you can't explain to a pig that you are going to give it a needle that is going to make it numb, confused, sleepy and lose control of its body. A human who can understand the situation and potentially derive pleasure from the experience can do so because we comprehend that the effects of sedation are to be expected and don't mean that we are dying. Pigs are a prey species and have the instincts of such an animal and sedation combined with being physically restrained by humans makes them assume that they are about to be killed and it isn't perceived as pleasurable.(Anybody that has spent any time around pigs will know that they freak out if you try to restrain them) Because they are having such a bad time of things during the sedation process, and due to the potential to have a negative physiological response to the sedative (just like some humans), it result in anything ranging from suffocation to heart failure. Just watch the a wildlife or zoo documentary for five minutes and you can see first hand how an unsuspecting animal reacts to sedation and how concerned to animal handlers are for the health and safety of the animal because of how much the sedation messes with them. And by the way, I'm from the 'concrete jungle' and moved the the country and pasture raise Durock Yorkshire hybrid swine, yes the would eat me if I let it happen but that's because its in their nature to try to eat anything they can get in their mouths, that doesn't make pigs evil or deserving of abuse. Because my pigs aren't able to think so abstractly as to 'give a fuck' about me, does that mean that I shouldn't give a fuck about them or what happens to them while they are in my care?-Jared, the fucktard Torontonian Disney brainwashed farmer.

These pigs came from the slaughter house and I think we can all agree that they are better off now than they would have if it weren't for these fine artists. Pigs at meat factories are neglected, abused, and later killed. You cannot say that that was the better alternative. to learn more about pig abuse, see the link below:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1Bc38i2ep0

I am not a animal activist nor a bible thumper and I believe that cloven hooved animals are here for or use to survive. They are not here to make into or own personal pin pad for inking. Animals are important to our future survival. It's no wonder why people that aren't raised around animals or many people that don't choose to eat animals become activists. Sure while these totoos may look neat this is not what a pig is used for. Animals such as cows and Pigs and so on... should be treated with respect cared for with proper water, shelter, and feed. They are the worlds main staples in food and are very needed by all of the world for many other reasons. Have a little respect for these animals while they are being raised for what we needed them for. What has happen to morals and values of people today. If you want to tatoo something get a paying coustomer or tatto a friend even yourself. While tatoo's are used for identification in animals it is ushally used in a discreet mannor with very little abrasion. We are the animals keepers. We are who teaches our kids and others respect and the proper ways to care for them.

The truly sad part is that the alternative to living without the sunlight only to be eaten is to get tatooed against your will. Why do we always have to do things against the piggies will? Why are there only two options: to be peoples food or to be peoples entertainment? I wonder what makes humans think they have all the rights to abuse pigs... In my opinion the pigs are more important than someone elses childeren, at least the animals don't know how to be cruel

You are a completely evil monster how dare you do this to these gentle creatures who never asked for this. You are a Speciesist and no better than a racist. You probably will not approve my comment but you will have to live with yourself.

disgusting! i really like your blog, but from time to time you have posts featuring furs and items made of animal parts. it's bad taste to promote these so-called artists, who exploit and hurt animals in order to produce their "art".

This is psychopathy. He is a sick person. There is nothing humane about the concept: He slaughters pigs for their skin & sells them & hires minions in a 3rd world country who never question ethics & morality & will do anything anyone asks them to for a pittance. The reason his "farm" is in China is because there are little- to no regulations on animal welfare rights there. They eat dogs in China & make human baby soup to eat & justify it by saying it gives sexual or healing powers for God's sake people! Hitler made lampshades out of human skin too. What's the difference here whether it's a pig's skin or a human's skin? It's all wrong.

The difference is a tattooed child will be impacted differently than a tattooed pig, in many different ways.

The child will eventually have to get a job, which may be impeded based upon the location and/or comment of the tattoo. The pig will not.

Do animals know regret? The child will grow, and may eventually wish they did not have the tattoo, a fairly common occurrence even in the consenting adults that choose to get inked. A pig could have the words "booger picker" tattooed across its face and would-be be the wiser.

As long as the pigs aren't harmed, and are well taken care off, I see no cruelty here.